Membership Barbeque
The Carroll County Chamber was pleased to welcome members to the annual Membership Barbecue held at Mill Town Music Hall. Members, wearing masks and observing social distance protocols, enjoyed an evening of great food and much-needed fellowship. The evening's highlight was the announcement of the winners of the 2020 Start-Up Business of the Year and Small Business Person of the Year. Amy Brown, Business Development Co-Chair, was on hand to present the awards.
This year's recipient of the Start-Up Business is DownTown Gowns. Owners Amy Kent and Lynne Sammon opened the bridal boutique in downtown Carrollton nearly three years ago. Along with members of their family, Amy and Lynne have worked tirelessly to create a boutique that provides an excellent customer experience.
Will Ozier, CEO of Ozier Apparel, was awarded the Small Business Person of the Year. Will grew up working in the business founded by his parents Billy and Carol Ozier. The company, originally located in Bowdon, has been at the current location in Carrollton for over ten years. Ozier and his brothers, Luke and Mark, take great pride in the business's growth and expansion.
Congratulations to this year's award winners.
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UWG's Richard College of Business Hosts Annual Economic Forecast "Breakfast"
Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler seen above and part of the trio of speakers that spoke on the economic recovery at the Annual Economic Forecast event held at the Burson Center in October.
For a summary of the event, click here.
For a recorded video of the event, click here.
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Holiday Hours:
Closed 11/26 - 11/27 - Thanksgiving; 12/24 - 12/25 - Christmas and 12/31 - 1/1 - New Year
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Keep the Cheer Here - Holiday Shop Local Campaign
The "Keep the Cheer Here" initiative will launch November 17th and run through December 23rd. Participating chamber member businesses will share promotions as a Deal of the Day (example: 50% off one item or 30% off entire purchase). Each participating chamber member business will be assigned a day of the month as their Deal Day to be highlighted and featured on our Carroll County Chamber and Think Carroll First Facebook pages. The Deal of the Day does not have to be unlimited; it can be limited to the first specified number of customers.
We will promote the campaign on our social media pages, chamber member social media pages, newspaper and magazine ads, radio and postcards. We will provide signage for participating businesses, social media banners, #hashtags, and social media Deal of the Day templates. During this time, in addition to the Deal of the Day, we encourage all participants to promote pop-up sales, virtual shopping events, in-store promotions and drawings.
Our goal is to encourage a strong "shop local" initiative while inspiring goodwill and confidence in our local economy's strength. Sign up information will go out soon! We hope you will make plans to participate in this exciting shop local campaign.
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RENEWING MEMBERS
We sincerely thank renewing members for their ongoing partners. Please remember these partners when you do business.
30 + years
Ozier Apparel
15-19 years
Merle Norman - Carrollton
Sugar Foods Corporation
10-14 years
All About Animals Veterinary Services
Carroll County DFCS
Georgia & West Inc.
Merle Norman- Villa Rica
Millwork Sales & Salvage
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5-9 years
Agape Hospice Care
Bug House Pest Control
Express Oil Change
McDowell, Trudy
Midway Church
Mullins Mechanical & Welding LLC
Oak Grove Baptist Church
Phillips Paint, Body & Towing, Inc.
Southeastern Quilt & Textile Museum
1-4 years
Crossroads Church
Heritage Bank
Impact West GA
Jefferson's Restaurant
Prince Enterprises
Quality Lawn & Landscape Co., Inc.
Willie A Watkins Funeral Home
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Forward Carroll 2020
For over 65 years, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce has been the voice for small business in Carroll County. We believe that together, we can accomplish great things in our community. We connect our nearly 600 members, representing large and small businesses, to valuable resources such as economic development and research, business education, marketing opportunities, and advocacy.
In the coming days, you will receive information on ways you can market your business and position your company as a community leader as a supporter of the Forward Carroll Corporate Sponsorship Program. Forward Carroll sponsors gain valuable and authentic exposure while building their overall brand awareness in our community. With four investment levels to choose from, we have a level to meet your budget and marketing needs.
Please watch your email for additional information on how you can partner with the Carroll County Chamber to promote your business.
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Junior Chamber Program Begins New Session
The fifth year of the Carroll County Junior Chamber of Commerce began in October. The Carroll Junior Chamber of Commerce is designed to build strong leadership skills in participating high school students and develop community awareness and concern for the future of Carroll County. The program collaborates with the seven high schools (Bowdon, Carrollton, Central, Mt. Zion, Oak Mountain, Temple, and Villa Rica) to provide a unique opportunity to twenty-eight students in junior year of high school. The students, who are emerging leaders in their schools and the community, are chosen by high school administrators to participate in this program based on their academic performance, attendance, and leadership potential. The students participate in one session each per month. They learn, engage, and participate in group activities on the subject, such as understanding leadership, business etiquette, communications, team building, appreciating differences, managing conflict, setting goals, community asset mapping, and community service. The only one of its kind in Georgia, the Carroll Junior Chamber, is a Georgia LEADS sanctioned program by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The program follows the Youth Leadership in Action curriculum of the J.W. Fanning Institute.
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Emerging Leaders Program Begins Development
The J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, a UGA Public Service and Outreach unit, recently met with the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders Steering Committee to begin the development and implementation of an emerging leaders program.
The leadership program, scheduled to launch in 2021, will focus on three core pillars: Relationship Building, Personal/Professional Development, and Civic Engagement. A variety of programs and networking events will foster ambition and build community while simultaneously paving the way for future success. Through professional development opportunities, community service projects, and community interaction, members will strengthen their ties to Carroll County. The goal of the program is to provide programming for young professionals to foster growth and leadership skills.
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SBA Approves Simple 1-Page PPP Forgiveness Application for Loans of $50,000 or less
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has released a simple one-page forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrowers who obtained loans of $50,000 or less. The new application removes calculations required on prior forms and simplifies documentation requirements. Find the application here.
Small business owners should be aware that all forgiveness requests are subject to audit by the SBA, and business owners are advised to maintain their underlying PPP records for six years.
DOL Revises FFCRA Regulations
The US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division posted multiple revisions to regulations that implemented the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response ACT (FFCRA). They are effective now. Read more here.
Remote Verification of Form I-9 Documents Extended to Nov. 19
Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is allowing employers that are operating remotely to conduct a remote verification of approved Form I-9 documents. On September 15,2020, DHS extended yet again this exemption for an additional 60 days. The new expiration date for the exemption is now November 19, 2020.
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Congratulations M.E.N.S. Wear, Inc.
We were pleased to have had the opportunity to join our friends at MENS, Wear, Inc in Villa Rica for their recent ribbon cutting! The organization, led by Angelia O'Neal, President/CEO, teaches life skills, workforce development training, and wardrobe services to young men in our community facing employment barriers. The agency collects donated professional men's clothing items and accessories to support the Wardrobe and Work Program. For more information, please visit their Facebook page here or website here.
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All Chamber members are welcome to submit a community event using our community calendar feature on our website. Cllck here for our event listing request form.
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MISSION STATEMENT:
Building a Stronger Business Community by Engaging Progressive
Leadership and Diverse Resources
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2020 Executive Committee
Chairperson: Kirby Butler, United Community Bank
Chairperson-Elect: Jay Gill, Carroll EMC
Vice-Chairman: Dr. Mark Albertus, Carrollton City Schools
Treasurer: Jill Duncan, State Farm Insurance
Past Chairperson: Bill Stone, Systems & Methods, Inc.
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Chamber Board Retreat 2020
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GOLD
Bank OZK
Carroll County Sheriff's Office
Carroll County Water Authority
J. Smith Lanier & Company |Auto Owners Insurance Company
Scott Evans Chrysler Dodge Jeep Nissan
Southland Insurance Agency
State Farm Insurance - Amy Brown
State Farm Insurance- Jill Duncan
Synovus Bank
Trident Seafoods Corporation
SILVER
AgSouth Farm Credit ACA | AgSouth Mortgages
C.M. Tanner Grocery Company
Crane Industry Services
Fairfield Plantation Golf & Country Club
John Thornton Cadillac Buick GMC
Southern States Bank
BRONZE
Auto Supply Company
BB&T
Carrollton Emergency Physicians
Combined Worksite Solutions
Dollar Heating & Air
Edward Jones /Fred O'Neal, Financial Advisor
Garrett, Thomas & Fazio PC
GLA Roofing
Lewis Fire Protection
Oak Mountain Academy
Rushton & Company, LLC
SunSouth LLC
Tisinger Vance PC - Attorneys at Law
Times-Georgian
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